Abstract: Pressure vessels that operate at elevated temperatures and pressures (e.g., 600° F./316° C., 20000 psig), and ultrasonic transducers and signal connectors for use therein, are described. The pressure vessels include a housing defining a cavity. The housing includes a cylindrical body with plugs positioned within openings of the cylindrical body. Each plug has a recess extending from an external surface to a location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity. The pressure vessels additionally include transducer assemblies positioned within respective plug recesses. Each transducer assembly includes a signal connector positioned within the recess adjacent the external surface, a transducer having a piezoceramic element positioned within the recess at the location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity, and a metallic interconnection spring interconnecting the transducer to the signal connector.

Abstract: A redundant level measuring system comprises comprising a chamber for fluidic coupling to a process vessel whereby material level in the vessel equalizes with material level in the chamber. A float including a magnet in the chamber interior space rises and falls with material level in the chamber. The float comprises an inner cylindrical wall defining an elongate through opening. A magnet actuated visual indicator is mounted to the chamber for indicating level of the magnet in the chamber. A level measurement instrument includes a measurement circuit and a coaxial probe having an inner rod and a coaxial outer tube. The probe defines a transmission line and the coaxial outer tube has a through opening so that material level in the chamber equalizes with material level in the coaxial outer tube. The instrument is mounted atop the chamber with the probe directed downwardly to the chamber interior space and extending through the float through opening.

Abstract: An autoloader is disclosed for staging samples in vials to be loaded automatically into an analyzer such as a moisture analyzer for moisture analysis. The analyzer uses vials to hold small amounts of sample materials. The autoloader holds the vials in a horizontal orientation for delivery to and removal from the analyzer.

Abstract: A texture analyzer having a support structure including a base plate, a carriage support, and a moveable carriage that receives a load cell module; a fixture to receive a sample between the base plate and the load cell module; a memory storing support structure and load cell module deflection parameters; and a processor. The processor is configured to identify the load cell module, retrieve the support structure deflection parameters and one of multiple load cell module deflection parameters, obtain raw measurement signals from the load cell module, and refine the raw measurement signals to compensate for deflection in the load cell module using the retrieved load cell module deflection parameters and support structure deflection parameters.

Abstract: A communicator device including a network interface for facilitating internet protocol (IP) communication, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) device interface for facilitating communication with a PSTN device and a processor. The processor is configured to communicate with a user application via an IP connection, receive instructions via the IP connection, generate a telephone ring signal based on the instructions, output the telephone ring signal to the PSTN device via the PSTN device interface, in response to the PSTN device providing a response to the telephone ring signal, establish a tip/ring connection between the PSTN device and the communicator device, and perform a data exchange between the user application and the PSTN device via a communication link that includes the IP connection and the tip/ring connection.

Abstract: A nickel and chromium alloy having a combined wt. % of nickel and chromium of at least 97 wt. %, wherein the chromium accounts for 33 to 50 wt. % of the alloy. The alloy may be provided in strip form and has adequate ductility for the manufacture of various products, such as sheaths for flux cored welding electrodes. A method of making the alloy strip includes forming a powder charge that is 97 to 100 wt. % of nickel and chromium combined and the chromium accounts for 33 to 50 wt. % of the charge, roll compacting the powder charge to form a green strip, sintering the green strip to form a sintered strip, and cold rolling and annealing the sintered strip to form the alloy strip.

Abstract: An asset monitoring system includes a server, and a monitoring system mounted in a container. The monitoring system includes a camera, a transceiver, and a controller configured to control the camera to capture images of the inside of a container, and control the transceiver transmit the images to a server. The server is configured to process the images to determine loading data including at least one of an unused volume or an unused floor space inside the container, and transmit the loading data to a customer computer.

Abstract: A nickel and chromium alloy having a combined wt. % of nickel and chromium of at least 97 wt. %, wherein the chromium accounts for 33 to 50 wt. % of the alloy. The alloy may be provided in strip form and has adequate ductility for the manufacture of various products, such as sheaths for flux cored welding electrodes. A method of making the alloy strip includes forming a powder charge that is 97 to 100 wt. % of nickel and chromium combined and the chromium accounts for 33 to 50 wt. % of the charge, roll compacting the powder charge to form a green strip, sintering the green strip to form a sintered strip, and cold rolling and annealing the sintered strip to form the alloy strip.

Abstract: A motor-fan assembly includes a motor assembly having a rotatable shaft extending therethrough and a working fan assembly having at least one working fan rotated by the rotatable shaft. The motor-fan assembly includes a motor cover that substantially encloses the motor assembly. The motor assembly provides a cover opening extending therethrough and the rotatable shaft extends through the opening. The motor-fan assembly also includes a cooling fan assembly with at least one cooling fan rotated by the rotatable shaft which fan draws cooling airflow over the motor assembly. A motor vent cover is coupled to the motor cover with the at least one cooling fan therebetween. The motor vent cover has a cooling air outlet through which cooling airflow is exhausted.

Abstract: Linear actuators driven by everted ball screw assemblies are described herein. In some examples, the everted ball screw assembly includes a hollow screw shaft with internal threads, a ball cylinder concentrically positioned therein and having external threads, and a plurality of balls sized to fit in a substantially contiguous series along a working pathway that is defined by the space between the internal and external threads. One or more limiters prevent the ball cylinder from rotating. A motor rotates the hollow screw shaft, thereby driving the balls along the pathway and imparting linear motion to the ball cylinder, which is coupled to a connecting rod for actuating a load. The ball cylinder in some examples includes an internal return path with scoop elements that are sized and shaped to guide the balls into the internal return path and then back onto the working pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multilayer radiation window for an X-ray measurement apparatus. The method comprises: producing a gas diffusion stop layer made of silicon nitride on a polished surface of a carrier; producing at least one combined layer on an opposite side of said gas diffusion stop layer than said carrier; attaching the combined structure comprising said carrier, said gas diffusion stop layer, said at least one combined layer to a region around an opening in a support structure with the at least one combined layer facing said support structure; and etching away said carrier. The at least one combined layer comprises: a light attenuation layer made of aluminium, and a strengthening layer. The invention relates also a radiation window manufactured with the method.

Abstract: Linear actuators are described herein. In particular embodiments, a linear actuator includes an everted ball screw assembly comprising a hollow screw shaft with internal threads, a ball cylinder concentrically positioned therein and having external threads, and a plurality of bearing balls sized to fit in a substantially contiguous series along a working pathway defined by the space between the internal and external threads. The linear actuator may include a support bearing for rotatably supporting the screw shaft in a housing. The ball cylinder in particular embodiments includes an internal return path along which the balls return to the working pathway. The everted ball screw assembly may include a lash reduction assembly and one or more scoop inserts that are sized and shaped to guide the balls into the internal return path and back onto the working pathway.

Abstract: A motor-fan assembly includes an assembly housing which supports a motor assembly and a working fan assembly having a working fan rotated by the motor assembly which draws in and exhausts working air. The motor-fan assembly also includes a cooling fan assembly which provides a cooling fan rotated by the motor assembly that draws in and exhausts cooling air. The assembly housing has at least one of an inlet insert and an outlet insert through which working air or cooling air passes. The inserts are removable from the assembly housing.

Abstract: Linear actuators are described herein, In particular embodiments, a linear actuator includes an everted ball screw assembly comprising a hollow screw shaft with internal threads, a ball cylinder concentrically positioned therein and having external threads, and a plurality of bearing balls sized to fit in a substantially contiguous series along a working pathway defined by the space between the internal and external threads. The linear actuator may include a support bearing for rotatably supporting the screw shaft in a housing. The ball cylinder in particular embodiments includes an internal return path along which the balls return to the working pathway. The everted ball screw assembly may include a lash reduction assembly and one or more scoop inserts that are sized and shaped to guide the balls into the internal return path and back onto the working pathway.

Abstract: Linear actuators driven by everted ball screw assemblies are described herein. In some examples, the everted ball screw assembly includes a hollow screw shaft with internal threads, a ball cylinder concentrically positioned therein and having external threads, and a plurality of balls sized to fit in a substantially contiguous series along a working pathway that is defined by the space between the internal and external threads. One or more limiters prevent the ball cylinder from rotating. A motor rotates the hollow screw shaft, thereby driving the balls along the pathway and imparting linear motion to the ball cylinder, which is coupled to a connecting rod for actuating a load. The ball cylinder in some examples includes an internal return path with scoop elements that are sized and shaped to guide the balls into the internal return path and then back onto the working pathway.

Abstract: A motor-fan assembly includes a working fan assembly having at least one working fan and a blower housing coupled to the working fan assembly. The blower housing provides a blower housing chamber and a cooling air inlet that draws cooling air into the blower housing chamber. A motor assembly is carried by the blower housing and rotates a shaft connected to the at least one working fan. The motor-fan assembly also includes a cooling fan assembly with at least one cooling fan connected to an end of the shaft opposite the at least one working fan. A motor vent cover encloses the cooling fan assembly and includes a cooling air outlet. Rotation of the at least one cooling fan draws cooling air in through the cooling air inlet, through the motor assembly, and exhausts cooling airflow through the cooling air outlet.

Abstract: An appliance provides a platform having a platform bottom and a platform base which supports a main base. A motor is carried by the platform base and rotates a ventilation fan which has a plurality of radial vanes with a fan aperture centrally positioned therein, such that the ventilation fan draws air in through an intake port provided by the platform. A fan shroud encloses the ventilation fan and has a shroud opening. The fan shroud extends from the platform base toward the platform bottom, wherein the main base surrounds the motor. The main base has an outer housing with at least one housing port, wherein rotation of the ventilation fan draws air into the fan aperture from the intake port, through the shroud opening, and expels the air radially from the plurality of radial vanes so that the air flows through the motor and out the housing port.

Abstract: Pressure vessels that operate at elevated temperatures and pressures (e.g., 600° F./316° C., 20000 psig), and ultrasonic transducers and signal connectors for use therein, are described. The pressure vessels include a housing defining a cavity. The housing includes a cylindrical body with plugs positioned within openings of the cylindrical body. Each plug has a recess extending from an external surface to a location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity. The pressure vessels additionally include transducer assemblies positioned within respective plug recesses. Each transducer assembly includes a signal connector positioned within the recess adjacent the external surface, a transducer having a piezoceramic element positioned within the recess at the location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity, and a metallic interconnection spring interconnecting the transducer to the signal connector.

Abstract: A motor-fan assembly includes a motor assembly having a tubular core with a rotatable shaft extending therethrough. The assembly includes a working fan assembly which has at least one working fan rotated by the rotatable shaft. A blower housing separates the motor assembly from the working fan assembly, wherein the rotatable shaft extends through the blower housing.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an inertial torque device (ITD) for calibrating a viscometer. The ITD comprises a body, a coupling for connecting the body to a viscometer measurement interface, a rotatable inertial load device coupled to the body, an electric motor coupled to the rotatable inertial load device and coupled to the body, and a controller configured to calibrate the viscometer by controlling the electric motor to rotate the rotatable inertial load device at a predetermined acceleration to apply a predetermined torque to the coupling connected to the viscometer.